Local businesses offer to fund damaged war memorial

Public-spirited businesses have stepped up to help following criminal damage to a memorial to Stroud's war dead.

Vandals caused serious damage to an engraving on the Cenotaph in Park Gardens, Slad Road, in the early hours of 17 June.

Since the incident was reported, Stroud District Council has received a number of offers to help on behalf of local businesses.

In a joint statement, the administration group leaders of Stroud District Council, Councillors Doina Cornell, Martin Whiteside and Ken Tucker said:

“It’s clear that the local community cares deeply about the memorial and what it represents as do we, and we will continue to do our utmost to maintain and protect it. We would like to thank all the businesses who contacted us with offers of help and funding. We have accepted the offer of the original stonemasons, Cottle Memorials, who engraved the stone in 2015.”

Steve Cottle of OL Cottle Memorials, which is located on Slad Road, opposite Bank Gardens, said: “We, along with a lot of other Stroud residents have been upset by the damage to the Cenotaph, and I’d like to do my bit for the community by replacing it.”

Stroud Town Mayor Kevin Cranston said: “It is really heart warming to know that there are so many generous public spirited people who are ready to step in to sort out this offensive piece of vandalism.”

It is estimated that the repairs to the Grade II listed monument will take six weeks to complete.

The memorial is dedicated to the memory of those people from Stroud who sacrificed their lives for their country. It is believed a chisel, or other heavy instrument was used to gauge out a 2015 addition that reads `And all subsequent campaigns.’

There was widespread condemnation of the attack when it was reported, with many people taking to social media to voice their disgust.

So far no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. If you have any information regarding the attack please contact the police by phoning 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 quoting incident 525-17/06/19.